Sorry to hear that. That was unprofessional. They probably sold it to a VVIP. Or maybe, there was a client that bought a lot of stuff and she was just too happy to offer it to her. It happens. One time I wanted a certain purse from another fashion house. The sales associate said that they no longer have it. After buying a wallet (that I really like) and chatting with her afterwards, we became friendly. Then she uttered the words: "Hey, I actually still have the XYZ purse on hold for another client in the back, but if you really want it, I'll sell it to you!" Hopefully, they can make it up to you next time.
Hermes Birkin Offer/Approval
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I’m sorry this happened to you. I was told that stores have been informed that the number of allotted bags that they were expecting to receive would be cut in half due to the factory closings in Europe and that the low availability would continue indefinitely. Not good news for B and K lovers around the world.
Awhile back, pre-COVID, I was told there were more production sites, which would mean more bags. By now why businesses are not would be implementing retrofitting buildings with updated air circulation, filtering systems along with distancing and perhaps partitions that would allow people the ability to work but be safe while doing so. Expensive yes but retrofitting is a tax write off not to mention the ROI. We seem to be stuck in a rut and using COVID as an excuse now rubs me the wrong way for it is the first thing one often hears, and after a year of inaction, it is rather old.
Sorry to hear it happened to you but for my experience, it does happen with Hermes, and maybe it’s just a misunderstanding between you and the SA? He/she thinks you like the bag that’s why offered you but still need final approval from SM when it comes?
At my store, my SA (he’s the best) normally knows what I am looking for, but sometimes if he sees something I might like coming, or even it is the exactly bag I am looking for, he would ask if I am interested in and he will see if he can get the SM approval,also let me know that it’s not 100% sure , of course I get rejected sometimes (maybe lots of time) lol, obviously you can not get what you want in Hermes world I was upset, maybe sad but after a while I get used to it haha, and my SA always try to make it up to me so I always get better bags at the end (always means 100% in my case)
There was this time I got offered a specific bag that’s in my wishlist forever and got approved, it was already at the store just wait til the day I can come and pick it up but guess what? the manager gave it to someone else because he thought they were having 2 coming, I was so so upset but they offered me a very similar bag which made me happy enough and the manager personally promised he will get me that bag down the road (at that time the bag was rare and they didn’t make much in that specific combo), and he kept his words, I got it a year later
Just stay positive, if you think you SA is a good one and always try his/her best for you then keep waiting, I’m sure you will get something better soon. Good luck dear and keep us posted when your orange fairy comes ☺️
At my store, my SA (he’s the best) normally knows what I am looking for, but sometimes if he sees something I might like coming, or even it is the exactly bag I am looking for, he would ask if I am interested in and he will see if he can get the SM approval,also let me know that it’s not 100% sure , of course I get rejected sometimes (maybe lots of time) lol, obviously you can not get what you want in Hermes world I was upset, maybe sad but after a while I get used to it haha, and my SA always try to make it up to me so I always get better bags at the end (always means 100% in my case)
There was this time I got offered a specific bag that’s in my wishlist forever and got approved, it was already at the store just wait til the day I can come and pick it up but guess what? the manager gave it to someone else because he thought they were having 2 coming, I was so so upset but they offered me a very similar bag which made me happy enough and the manager personally promised he will get me that bag down the road (at that time the bag was rare and they didn’t make much in that specific combo), and he kept his words, I got it a year later
Just stay positive, if you think you SA is a good one and always try his/her best for you then keep waiting, I’m sure you will get something better soon. Good luck dear and keep us posted when your orange fairy comes ☺️
Sorry this happened to you… That is very strange I asked my SA about this and was told that they never “offer” you a bag until it is approved by the store manager. Was it a “legitimate offer” or was it more like “hey, we are getting this in and just curious if it would be something you would like?” Or was it more like, “hey we are getting this in and it’s in your wishlist and I would like to offer this to you?” There is a difference...Would it be possible to ask the store manager what happened and if maybe they can make it up to you? Perhaps due to the miscommunication or misunderstanding. Honest mistake..Did you have enough purchase history in the SM’s eyes to be offered this bag? I am not saying your entire purchase history but enough purchase history for this “season”. Some H’s “reset” your purchase history after your last B or K offer, and you kind of start another round of purchases like 1-1 ratio for your next offer. They don’t really “reset” it because your purchase history is viewable and it stays with you and your profile forever but what I’m asking is, in the last six months after your other Birkin or Kelly offer did you make purchases enough for this offer? Maybe your SA thought based on your entire history it was enough to offer you a bag, while the SM thought you need a few more purchases to “qualify”? Once you have a long standing history with one store and one SA, that one to one ratio is not such a big deal, the offers still come in, even if you took a small break from shopping with them.
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I totally agree with you! I prefer to spend that money as the markup to a reseller and get the exact bag that I want instead of spending and waiting to be offered. Demand for those most coveted bags are so high that it makes H arrogant. I'm also finding a lot of better deals on resellers' website. Recently I bought two bags from two different sites. The bolide that is only 2 years old is half of what retail is and the Lindy croc is even better. I would never pull the trigger or let alone be able to afford a brand new one. This is a good time to look at resellers' site as a lot of bags are being unloaded due to people not going out as much.
English is not my first language, so please correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t a “profession” a paid occupation, especially one that involves some form of training? I have worked in Designer retail before and these types of jobs require many hours of initial training and several follow up courses throughout the year for further development and higher tier promotions. Not only Training courses in leather but customer service relations as well. I’m not knocking anyone working in “regular” retail but there is a huge difference in quotas and expectations when it comes to dealing with celebrities, NDAs, millionaires etc. I believe the English definition of “profession”, is any vocation or business, or trade: an occupation by which a person earns a living; work; business.
“Unprofessional”, is defined as a variance with or contrary to professional standards or ethics; not befitting members of a profession, as language, behavior, or conduct, not done with professional competence (having suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience). In my opinion, the lack of communication or more importantly, MISCOMMUNICATION, between the SA and the SM or even the floor manager was a disservice (in the form of being unintentionally unkind) to this client. When it comes to B and K’s, clients don’t mess around. It can truly be heartbreaking to some clients, while others are like, “Whatever”. I feel bad for both this client and SA. I truly hope this was a one time occurrence and a learning lesson for all involved. IMO, the only way this H Boutique can show this client just how valuable she truly is to this store is to make it up to her by having the SA apologize to her for the misunderstanding and assure her they will make it right, some way, some how. Of course, the SM has to be onboard with this and having the SM apologize as well wouldn’t hurt. This does speak volumes about this particular H establishment and the ranking among this SA and this client. From my experience (after I was promoted to LSA) I had first choice when a limited or hot item came to our store. That item was then “suppose to be” offered to clients based on their ranking and standing with our store. If the item was rejected by our VVIPs, it would be offered to VIPs and in theory, it would be offered to regular clients after that, but it never made it that far. The reason I said “suppose to be” is because that was generally the rule for a lead sales associate but once I made floor manager, it was at my discretion to offer that hot item to any one of my loyal clients, whether they spent only $5000 a year or $60,000 a year, it was totally up to me which client I selected. Once I made store manager, I was less in sales and more in ordering merchandise and scheduling. It was then up to me which of my LSA would get that particular hot item to offer to their clients. SM jobs are very stressful and having an SA jumping the gun and offering clients items already promised to another LSA or client makes that job more difficult. There is definitely a chain of command and ranks among high end designer boutiques like H.
I overheard an SA tell the woman in the counter next to us to “buy a few more items in this range” and pulled out items that were about $4k EACH. She asked, “should I buy just one of these and then I will qualify?” I was in total shock to hear this. They then walked over to the watches and she bought a watch, a wallet, shoes, scarfs and belts. When I was done with my shopping I was headed to the elevator and she was headed to the VIP room
It sounds like you have been offered bags previously. I’m wondering if there’s a misunderstand to no one’s fault. From my experiences, it’s not uncommon for SAs to ask about clients’ interests when a shipment is coming in and then get your sense of your priorities and then ask for approval according to that. I know when it was early to my H experiences, my SAs had told me that two constances came and asked me to go to the store right away because she couldn’t hold them. I was gonna go two hours later but she said they’ve been sold. Later after some time purchasing with her, she was able to hold c24...c18 and what not. Granted my SA never said or promised me the bags so it was a bit less of a letdown. I wonder if it was simply a language issue and she just wanted to ask for your preferences rather than to offer you a bag. I’m sorry for your experiences 
My SA told me this, too. They are in a shortage now.
Is this all across the United States? I have had seven offers from January until last week (8 if you count my purchase) and my sister has had five offers in her state. I’m wondering if larger boutiques are not affected as much or if they just received all their podium orders as it seems some boutiques are affected more than others when it comes to offering B and K’s. I had a friend come visit my state and she walked out with a Kelly that had been offered to me. She also has an extensive purchase history in her state but was having trouble getting offers there.
So far Texas, Las Vegas and New York seem to be offering B and K’s to their VVIPs without issue ( I know Hermes calls them their VICs..very important clients). I also know that they make exceptions for these clients when it comes to shipping and providing insurance to have them delivered to their door. Some boutiques say they will absolutely not ship the B and K’s and have clients that drive upto 3 hours each way to pick them up. Like I said, while others have no issue shipping so long as you are willing to pay for the insurance and cost of delivery. ♀️♀️
I firmly believe that all stores are still receiving decent bag shipments. These shipments may be slightly slimmer than prior “normal” years but the demand is also much greater, between new shoppers leaving other brands and locals deciding not to wait for international travel to reopen, so I believe many SAs are getting more creative with their stories...
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